CN104510480B

CN104510480B - Sting device

Info

Publication number: CN104510480B
Application number: CN201410497954.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 福泽真彦; 村上真水
Original assignee: Arkray Inc
Current assignee: Arkray Inc
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-09-25
Publication date: 2018-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-25
Also published as: US9775552B2; US20150094750A1; EP2853198B1; CN104510480A; EP2853198A1; JP6371181B2; JP2015085188A

Abstract

The present invention provides sting device, can more comfortably use.A kind of sting device (A1), has：Shell (1)；Body (2) is punctured, is retained the reciprocating movement that can be carried out relative to shell (1) including moving forward and backward, and with the needle (21a) for being pierced into skin；And advance spring (31) and rear extractor (32), it is used to make puncture body (2) to move back and forth, wherein the reciprocating movement for puncturing body (2) has：Puncture section comprising puncture body (2) and be pierced into the point of puncture in skin；With retrogressing section, it is set to than the puncture section rearward, the sting device (A1) has resistance generating unit, and the resistance generating unit applies resistance to puncturing body so that the size for retreating the resistance in section is bigger than the size for puncturing the resistance in section.

Description

Puncture device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a puncture device for moving a puncture member to pierce the puncture member into the skin.

Background

In blood analysis measurement such as blood glucose measurement, it is necessary to extract a trace amount of blood from a human body as a specimen. As a method for extracting such a trace amount of blood, a puncture device having a function of puncturing a puncture member such as a needle into the skin is used.

Fig. 22 shows an example of a conventional puncture device. The puncture device X shown in the figure includes a case 91, and a lancet holder 92 and a spring 93 that are built in the case 91. The housing 91 is a substantially cylindrical member formed of, for example, resin. The lancet holder 92 is concentrically housed in the housing 91, and has a cylindrical portion formed at the front end in the x1 direction, the cylindrical portion being used for loading a lancet (not shown) provided with a needle. Spring 93 is used to advance lancet holder 92 in the x1 direction relative to housing 91. Further, the puncture device X preferably includes another spring (not shown) for retracting the lancet holder 92 in the X2 direction. After the lancet is loaded in the lancet holder 92, the lancet holder 92 advances by the elastic force of the spring 93 by releasing the compressed spring 93. The needle of the lancet is inserted into the skin by this advance, and then the lancet holder 92 is retracted in the x2 direction by the above-described separate spring.

In the puncture device X, a protrusion 92a is formed on the lancet holder 92, and a guide slit 91a is formed on the housing 91. The projection 92a penetrates the guide slit 91a from the inside toward the outside. Since the projections 92a are guided by the guide slits 91a, displacement of the lancet holder 92 when it moves forward in the x1 direction and moves backward in the x2 direction can be suppressed. Further, a portion of the housing 91 defining the end of the guide slit 91a in the x1 direction is formed as a stopper portion 91b in a cantilever shape, the end in the x2 direction thereof being a free end and the end in the x1 direction thereof being a fixed end. When the lancet holder 92 advances, the projection 92a hits the stopper 91b, and the stroke of the lancet holder 92 is restricted. Since the stopper 91b is cantilevered, the impact of the lancet holder 92 during collision can be buffered. This can prevent the needle on the lancet held by the lancet holder 92 from being excessively thrust into the skin, and can alleviate the pain of the user.

However, in the case of the mechanism that reciprocates the lancet holder 92 by the spring 93 and the above-described complementary spring, the lancet holder 92 is easily reciprocated finely in the housing 91 even after the needle is pierced. The minute reciprocating movement may cause the user to feel uncomfortable vibration or shock during a period other than the needle puncture. Even if the impact during puncturing is alleviated, there are the following problems: when there is an uncomfortable vibration or shock before and after the puncture, the behavior of using the puncture device X is still uncomfortable.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2013-517056

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a puncture device that can be used more comfortably.

The puncture device provided by the invention comprises: a housing; a puncture body which is held so as to be capable of reciprocating movement including advancing and retreating with respect to the housing and has a puncture member for puncturing the skin; and an elastic body for reciprocating the puncture body, wherein the reciprocating movement of the puncture body has: a puncture zone comprising a puncture point where the puncture body penetrates into the skin; and a retreat section set to be later than the puncture section, and the puncture device includes a resistance generation unit that applies resistance to the puncture body such that the magnitude of the resistance in the retreat section is larger than the magnitude of the resistance in the puncture section.

Preferably, the reciprocating movement of the puncture body has an advancing section, the advancing section is set to be ahead of the puncture section, and the resistance force generated by the resistance force generation means is larger in the advancing section than in the puncture section.

Preferably, the resistance force generated by the resistance force generation means is larger in the retreat region than in the advance region in the case where the puncture body is located at the same position with respect to the housing.

Preferably, the resistance generated by the resistance generation unit is zero in the puncture section.

Preferably, the resistance generation unit includes: a convex portion provided on one of the housing and the puncture body; and a sliding body provided on one of the housing and the puncture body and sliding with the projection in the retreat section.

Preferably, the slider is configured to be more elastically deformable than the projection in a direction facing the projection.

Preferably, the slider is configured such that an end portion of the slider on a side where the projection is located is supported when the puncture body is at the forward end in the reciprocating direction of the puncture body, and an end portion of the slider on a side where the projection is located is a free end when the puncture body is at the backward end, and the slider is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined: the protrusion is moved closer to the protrusion from the side where the protrusion is located when the puncture body is at the advancing end toward the side where the protrusion is located when the puncture body is at the retreating end.

Preferably, the slider also serves as an engaging member for engaging the housing with the puncture body in order to hold the puncture body at the retracted end.

Preferably, the projection is formed on the housing, and the slider is formed on the puncture body.

Preferably, the housing includes an outer frame and an inner frame received in the outer frame, and the convex portion is formed on the inner frame.

Further preferably, a housing-side projection which is a rib projecting inward is formed on an inner surface of the inner frame of the housing, and a puncture body-side projection which is a flange is formed on the puncture body, and the flange abuts against the projection to limit a stroke of the puncture body with respect to the housing.

Further preferably, the puncture device further includes a setting lever for allowing the puncture body to stand by in a state in which the puncture body can advance, a groove or a slit extending long in an axial direction is formed in the inner frame of the housing, and a projection for restricting a stroke of the setting lever with respect to the housing by engaging with the groove or the slit of the inner frame is provided in the setting lever or a member for attaching the setting lever to the inner frame.

Further preferably, the inner frame of the housing is composed of a lower member (first member) and an upper member (second member) divided in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the housing, and the grooves or the slits of the inner frame are formed by joining concave portions provided in the first member and the second member, respectively.

Effects of the invention

The resistance applied to the puncture body is relatively small in the puncture space including the puncture point where the puncture body penetrates into the skin. Therefore, the speed of the penetration member into the skin is not reduced appropriately, or the retraction of the penetrating body is not attenuated excessively immediately after the penetration member penetrates into the skin. On the other hand, in the retraction section in which the puncture member is pulled out of the skin and the puncture body is retracted, the resistance applied to the puncture body is relatively large. Therefore, in the retreat region, the movement of the puncture body is greatly attenuated while retreating. Thus, the speed of the puncture body can be sufficiently reduced at the end of the retreat section, and unnecessary vibration can be avoided from occurring when the puncture body repeats advancing and retreating after the retreat section retreats. Therefore, according to the puncture device, although the pain of puncture inevitably occurs, it is possible to prevent the puncture member from erroneously piercing the skin, and prevent the puncture body from violently reciprocating after puncture to make the user feel uncomfortable vibrations, and the like, and thus it is possible to use the puncture device more comfortably.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a puncture device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the puncture device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of an important part along the line III-III in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a lower part of an inner frame and a lancet holder of the pricking device of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a lancet holder of the pricking device of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a lower part of an internal frame of the puncture device of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an upper part of an internal frame of the puncture device of fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the inner frame, the sliding member, and the setting lever of the puncture device of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the slide member of fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the inner frame of the puncture device in fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the inner frame of the puncture device of fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a state where puncturing is started in the puncturing device of fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an important part along the XV-XV line in fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the puncture device of fig. 1 is in an advance section.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a significant portion along line XVII-XVII in fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing a state in which the puncture device of fig. 1 is in a puncture section.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view showing a state in which the puncture device of fig. 1 is in a retreat region.

In fig. 20, (a) to (f) are important part cross-sectional views showing the relationship between the slide arm and the projection, and (g) is a graph showing the resistance generated by the slide arm and the projection.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view of an important part showing a resistance generation state of the resistance generation unit of the puncture device of fig. 1.

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of an important part showing an example of a conventional puncture device.

Description of the reference symbols

A1 puncture device

1 outer cover

11 outer frame

12 inner side frame

12a lower part

12b upper part

12c guide groove

12d Rib

12e face

13 convex part

2 puncture body

21a needle

21 lancet

22 lancet holder

22a flange

22b connecting part

23 sliding arm

23a latch projection

23b inclined plane

23c recess

25 shim

31 forward spring

32 retreat spring

4 cover

41 through hole

5 gasket

61 puncture button

61a pressing sheet

62 setting lever

63 Release lever

64 sliding part

64a guide projection

64b locking part

S1 Forward section

S2 puncture interval

S2a puncture point

S3 back-off interval

F. F1-F4 resistance

Fa vertical resistance

Component of Fx, Fz

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 to 5 show a puncture device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The puncture device a1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 1, a puncture body 2, a forward spring 31, a backward spring 32, a cover 4, a washer 5, a puncture button 61, a setting lever 62, a release lever 63, and a slide member 64.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the puncture device a1 viewed obliquely from above, and fig. 2 is a perspective view of the puncture device a1 viewed obliquely from below. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in fig. 1, and fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an important part thereof. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in fig. 3. In these figures, for convenience of explanation, the x1 direction is the forward direction, and the x2 direction is the backward direction. The description will be given taking an attitude in which the z1 direction is directed upward in the vertical direction and the z2 direction is directed downward in the vertical direction as an example. The y direction is a direction at right angles to any of the x1 direction, the x2 direction, and the z1 direction, the z2 direction. Fig. 3 to 5 show a state in which the puncture body 2 is ready to advance for puncture, that is, a state of being positioned closest to the x2 direction with respect to the housing 1.

The housing 1 constitutes most of the outer shape of the puncture device a1, and is substantially cylindrical in the x1 direction and the x2 direction as the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the housing 1 is composed of an outer frame 11 and an inner frame 12. The outer frame 11 constitutes an outer portion of the housing 1, and is a substantially cylindrical member integrally formed of, for example, resin. The inner frame 12 is a substantially cylindrical member disposed concentrically with the outer frame 11 inside the outer frame 11. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 12 is composed of two members, a lower member 12a and an upper member 12 b. The lower member 12a forms approximately half of the z2 direction side of the inner frame 12, and the upper member 12b forms approximately half of the z1 direction side of the inner frame 12. The lower member 12a and the upper member 12b are each formed of resin, for example. In addition, such a structure is an example of the housing 1, and is not limited thereto. For example, the outer frame 11 and the inner frame 12 may be formed of a single cylindrical member without being divided. The inner frame 12 is preferably composed of a lower member 12a and an upper member 12b, and in view of the function described later, the inner frame 12 may be integrally formed.

The puncture body 2 is held so as to be capable of reciprocating within the housing 1, and the reciprocating movement includes forward movement in the x1 direction and backward movement in the x2 direction. In the present embodiment, the puncture body 2 is composed of the lancet 21 and the lancet holder 22. The lancet 21 has a needle 21a as a pricking member in the present invention, and the lancet 21 is detachably attached to the lancet holder 22. The lancet 21 is configured as a disposable type which is discarded every time it is used. The lancet holder 22 holds the lancet 21, and is substantially composed of a cylindrical portion for loading the lancet 21, and a portion extending long in the x1 direction and the x2 direction. The lancet holder 22 is integrally formed of, for example, resin.

The forward spring 31 and the backward spring 32 correspond to an example of the elastic body described in the present invention. The forward spring 31 and the backward spring 32 are inserted through a part of the lancet holder 22. The forward spring 31 exerts an elastic force for advancing the puncture body 2 in the x1 direction, and the backward spring 32 exerts an elastic force for retracting the puncture body 2 in the x2 direction. The elastic body in the present invention may be constituted by three or more springs or only one spring, as long as it exerts an elastic force to reciprocate the puncture body 2. The elastic body is not limited to a so-called coil spring, and an elastic body having a shape or a structure which is formed of various elastic materials and can appropriately exert an elastic force can be appropriately used.

The cover 4 is located in the x1 direction with respect to the housing 1 and is disposed to close the x1 direction opening end of the housing 1. The cover 4 has a through hole 41. The through hole 41 is provided to protrude the needle 21a of the puncture body 2. When the puncture device a1 is used, the distal end surface of the cover 4 abuts against the skin. The cover 4 is formed of, for example, a transparent or opaque resin.

The gasket 5 is an annular member made of, for example, resin, and interposed between the housing 1 and the cover 4. The cover 4 is mounted to the housing 1 via a gasket 5. The amount of protrusion of the lid 4 in the x1 direction with respect to the housing 1 can be adjusted according to the circumferential position of the gasket 5 with respect to the housing 1. The puncture device of the present invention may be configured without the cap 4 or the washer 5.

The puncture button 61 is used for a user to operate when puncturing the needle 21a of the puncture body 2 into the skin. A part of the puncture button 61 is exposed to the outside from the outer frame 11 of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the exposed portion of the puncture button 61 is positioned slightly closer to the x1 direction than the longitudinal center of the outer frame 11 of the housing 1. In order to facilitate the use of the puncture device a1, it is preferable to use a material of the puncture button 61 that is a different color from the material of the housing 1.

The setting lever 62 is used to set the puncture body 2 in a state capable of advancing in the x1 direction for puncturing. In the present embodiment, the setting lever 62 is disposed at the end of the housing 1 in the x2 direction. For example, although the cap 4 is not in a state of being in contact with the skin, the user mistakenly presses the puncture button 61 to advance the puncture body 2, and at this time, the setting lever 62 is used to pull back the puncture body 2 to a state where it can be advanced again.

The slide member 64 is used to attach the setting lever 62 slidably with respect to the housing 1.

The release lever 63 is used to remove the lancet 21 from the lancet holder 22 after the pricking. The release lever 63 is made of, for example, resin, and a part thereof is exposed to the outside from the outer frame 11 of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the release lever 63 is mounted slidably with respect to the housing 1. When the release lever 63 is slid in the x1 direction with the cover 4 removed, the lancet 21 is removed from the lancet holder 22 and can be discarded.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, a projection 13 is formed on the upper member 12b of the inner frame 12 of the housing 1. The convex portion 13 is a portion of the upper member 12b protruding inward. Further, a slide arm 23 is formed on the lancet holder 22 of the puncture body 2. The slider arm 23 is cantilevered, and has a free end at the x1 direction end and a fixed end at the x2 direction end. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 13 and the slide arm 23 constitute the resistance generation unit described in the present invention. The resistance generation unit applies resistance to the puncture body 2 when the puncture body 2 reciprocates. In the present embodiment, as described later, the frictional force generated by the friction between the convex portion 13 and the slide arm 23 is substantially all of the resistance. Further, since the slider arm 23 is cantilevered, the slider arm 23 is more easily elastically deformed than the convex portion 13 in the z1 direction and the z2 direction, which are the directions facing the convex portion 13. In addition, unlike the present embodiment, a portion corresponding to the projection 13 may be provided in the puncture body 2, and a portion corresponding to the slide arm 23 may be provided in the housing 1.

As clearly shown in fig. 4, the slide arm 23 has a latch protrusion 23a, an inclined surface 23b, and a recessed portion 23 c. The latch projection 23a is provided at the end of the slide arm 23 in the x1 direction, and projects in the z1 direction in the figure, and the end in the z1 direction is located on the z1 direction side with respect to the end in the z2 direction of the convex portion 13. In order to maintain a state of coping with puncture in a state where the advance spring 31 is compressed, the latch projection 23a is engaged with the convex portion 13 which is a part of the housing 1. Thus, the slide arm 23 also serves as the engaging member in the present invention. Further, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the latch projection 23a is provided on the slide arm 23, and an engagement member engageable with the housing 1 may be provided on the puncture body 2, separately from the resistance generation unit described above.

The inclined surface 23b is provided on the x2 direction side of the latch projection 23a and is a surface that is slightly inclined with respect to the z1 direction. More specifically, the inclined surface 23b is inclined such that: the convex portion 13 is located closer to the z1 direction, i.e., closer to the convex portion 13, as it goes from the x2 direction side toward the x1 direction. In fig. 3 and 4 in the standby state to be punctured, the whole or a part of the inclined surface 23b is positioned on the side of the z1 direction from the end of the convex portion 13 in the z2 direction. In the present embodiment, the inclined surface 23b is a plane inclined with respect to the x1 direction, the x2 direction, and the y direction, but is not limited thereto, and may be a curved surface or a combination of a plurality of planes, for example.

The concave portion 23c is disposed at a position closer to the x2 direction than the inclined surface 23b, and is a portion recessed in the z2 direction. The bottom surface of the concave portion 23c is located on the z2 direction side with respect to the z2 direction end of the convex portion 13.

In the present embodiment, the forward spring 31 is disposed between the end of the inner frame 12 in the x2 direction and a flange-like portion (to be described later) provided near the base of the slider arm 23 of the lancet holder 22 of the puncture body 2. When the puncture body 2 moves in the x2 direction with respect to the housing 1 (inner frame 12), the forward spring 31 is compressed. The compression causes the elastic force for advancing the puncture body 2 in the x1 direction to be accumulated.

In the present embodiment, the retraction spring 32 is disposed between the slide member 64 and the pad 25 attached to the lancet holder 22 near the end in the x2 direction. When the puncture body 2 moves in the x1 direction with respect to the housing 1 (inner frame 12), the retraction spring 32 is compressed. The compression causes the elastic force for retracting the puncture body 2 in the x2 direction to be accumulated.

Next, a structure provided to limit the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the puncture body 2 with respect to the housing 1 will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing only the lower part 12a and the lancet holder 22. As shown in this figure, the lower part 12a has ribs 12d, and the lancet holder 22 has a flange 22 a. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing only the lancet holder 22. The flange 22a is provided at the substantially middle of the lancet holder 22, and is flat at right angles to the x1 direction and the x2 direction.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing only the lower member 12 a. The rib 12d is provided at a substantially middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the lower member 12a and protrudes inward. As shown in fig. 6, the rib 12d is located closer to the x1 direction than the flange 22a, and the rib 12d and the flange 22a overlap each other when viewed from the x1 direction (viewed from the x2 direction). Therefore, the flange 22a abuts against the rib 12d, whereby the stroke of the puncture body 2 in the x1 direction with respect to the housing 1 is limited.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing only the upper member 12 b. As shown in the drawing, in the present embodiment, the upper member 12b is also formed with a rib 12 d. The rib 12d of the upper member 12b and the rib 12d of the lower member 12a are aligned with each other at the x 1-directional position (x 2-directional position). Therefore, in a state where the inner frame 12 is configured by coupling the lower member 12a and the upper member 12b, the inner frame 12 has the rib 12d through which the relatively thin portion of the lancet holder 22 is inserted and which blocks the passage of the flange 22a of the lancet holder 22.

Further, the rib 12d of the lower member 12a of fig. 8 is located directly below the projection 13 of fig. 9 in the z2 direction. A surface 12e is formed on the rib 12d of the lower member 12a at a position closer to the y-direction center and facing the z1 direction. As can be seen from fig. 6, this face 12e overlaps with the latch protrusion 23a of the lancet holder 22 in the x1 direction and the x2 direction. As shown in fig. 7, the lancet holder 22 has a coupling portion 22b, and the coupling portion 22b overlaps the slide arm 23 in the x1 direction and the x2 direction and is located closer to the z2 direction than the slide arm 23. As described later, when the slide arm 23 is elastically deformed by receiving a force in the z2 direction from the convex portion 13, the lancet holder 22 receives a force in the z2 direction. At this time, the surface of the coupling portion 22b facing the direction z2 abuts against the surface 12e of the rib 12d of the lower member 12a, and thus the lancet holder 22 can be prevented from being improperly bent or from being accidentally displaced from the center position. As will be described later, although the resistance of the present invention is mainly constituted by the frictional force between the convex portion 13 and the inclined surface 23b of the slider arm 23, a frictional force that can constitute a part of the resistance is also generated by the surface 12e of the rib 12d of the lower member 12a and the coupling portion 22b of the lancet holder 22.

Next, a structure provided to limit the stroke of the sliding movement of the setting lever 62 with respect to the housing 1 will be described. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the inner frame 12, the setting lever 62, and the slide member 64. The setting lever 62 is fixed to the slide member 64 by engagement. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing only the slide member 64. Two locking portions 64b are formed on both sides of the slide member 64 in the y direction. As shown in fig. 10, these locking portions 64b engage with the holes of the setting lever 62. Thereby, the setting lever 62 and the slide member 64 slide integrally with respect to the inner frame 12.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing only the inner frame 12. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inner frame 12. Two guide grooves 12c are formed on both sides of the inner frame 12 in the y direction. The guide groove 12c extends in the x1 direction and the x2 direction. As clearly shown in fig. 13, concave portions to be guide grooves 12c are formed in the lower member 12a and the upper member 12b, respectively. When the inner frame 12 is formed by combining the lower member 12a and the upper member 12b, the concave portions of the lower member 12a and the upper member 12b are joined to each other, thereby forming the guide groove 12 c.

As shown in fig. 11, two guide projections 64a are formed on the slide member 64. As shown in fig. 10, these guide projections 64a are fitted into the guide grooves 12c of the inner frame 12. Thus, the length of the guide groove 12c and the size of the guide projection 64a are used to define the sliding stroke of the setting lever 62 and the slide member 64 relative to the inner frame 12. This stroke corresponds to a stroke when the puncture body 2 is in a standby state to be punctured by the setting lever 62.

Further, instead of forming the guide groove 12c in the inner frame 12 in addition to the split structure of the lower member 12a and the upper member 12b, for example, a slit penetrating in the thickness direction may be provided in the integrally formed inner frame 12. In this case, the portion corresponding to the guide projection 64a may be configured to protrude outward from the inside of the inner frame 12, for example.

Next, the reciprocating movement of the puncture body 2 of the puncture device a1 will be described.

First, as shown in fig. 3, the puncture body 2 is in a standby state to be punctured. In this state, the latch projection 23a of the slide arm 23 abuts and abuts against the convex portion 13 of the inner frame 12 of the housing 1 in the x2 direction. This prevents the puncture body 2 from moving in the x1 direction. The forward spring 31 is compressed between the inner frame 12 and the lancet holder 22. Thereby, the advancing spring 31 accumulates elastic force for advancing the puncture body 2 in the x1 direction.

Next, with the distal end surface of the cover 4 in contact with the skin, the puncture button 61 is pressed as shown in fig. 14. The puncture button 61 is formed with a pressing piece 61a protruding in the z2 direction. The pressing piece 61a presses down the free end side of the slide arm 23 in the z2 direction. Since the slider arm 23 is cantilevered, it is pressed by the pressing piece 61a and is thereby deflected in the z2 direction. Thereby, the engagement of the slide arm 23 with the convex portion 13 is released. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of an important part along XV-XV line in fig. 14, showing only the slide arm 23 and the puncture button 61. As shown in the figure, the inclined surface 23b is located near the center of the slider arm 23 in the y direction and is not formed over the entire range of the slider arm 23. On the other hand, a concave portion recessed in the z1 direction is formed at the tip of the pressing piece 61 a. When the pressing piece 61a approaches the slide arm 23, the concave portion of the pressing piece 61a is in a state of straddling the slide arm 23. Thus, the pressing piece 61a presses the portion of the slide arm 23 avoiding the inclined surface 23 b.

When the engagement between the slide arm 23 and the projection 13 is released by the puncture button 61, the puncture body 2 is advanced in the x1 direction by the elastic force accumulated by the advance spring 31 as shown in fig. 16. At this time, the convex portion 13 and the inclined surface 23b of the slide arm 23 abut against each other and slide. Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a significant portion along line XVII-XVII in fig. 16, showing only a portion of the upper member 12b and the slide arm 23. The tip of the convex portion 13 in the z2 direction is a surface perpendicular to the z1 direction and the z2 direction, and the dimension of the convex portion 13 in the y direction is larger than the inclined surface 23 b. Therefore, the y-direction total length of the inclined surface 23b abuts on the convex portion 13, and as is apparent from fig. 16 and 17, the convex portion 13 is constituted by a part of the rib formed on the upper member 12 b. Therefore, the convex portion 13 has high rigidity. On the other hand, the slider arm 23 is cantilevered and relatively easily elastically deformed. Therefore, while the convex portion 13 slides on the inclined surface 23b, the slide arm 23 is slightly flexed in the z2 direction. The convex portion 13 and the inclined surface 23b constitute resistance generation means according to the present invention, and the frictional force generated between the convex portion 13 and the inclined surface 23b acts as substantially all of the resistance against the movement of the puncture body 2.

When the puncture body 2 further advances in the x1 direction, the state shown in fig. 18 is obtained. In this state, the convex portion 13 exceeds the inclined surface 23b and overlaps the concave portion 23c in the x1 direction and the x2 direction. As described above, the bottom surface of the concave portion 23c is located at the position closer to the z2 direction than the tip of the convex portion 13, and the convex portion 13 does not contact the concave portion 23 c. Therefore, the friction force is not generated between the convex portion 13 and the slide arm 23, and the resistance force generated by the resistance force generating means is zero.

The figure shows a state in which the puncture body 2 is located in the most x1 direction. In this state, the tip of the needle 21a protrudes from the tip surface of the cap 4. Thereby, the needle 21a penetrates the skin. For convenience of explanation, this state is defined as a puncture point.

When the puncture body 2 advances in the x1 direction, the compression of the forward spring 31 is released, and the backward spring 32 is compressed. The retraction spring 32 is compressed between the pad 25 attached to the lancet holder 22 and the slide member 64. Therefore, when the puncture body 2 reaches the puncture point, the puncture body 2 is subsequently retracted in the x2 direction by the elastic force accumulated by the retraction spring 32 as shown in fig. 19. As described above, the puncture body 2 reciprocates within the inner frame 12 of the housing 1, including advancing in the x1 direction and retreating in the x2 direction, with the puncture point as a retrace point.

Next, the resistance to the reciprocating movement of the puncture body 2 will be described with reference to fig. 20.

Fig. 20 (a) to (f) show the relationship between the projection 13 and the slide arm 23 during the reciprocating movement of the puncture body 2, and (g) shows the change in the resistance during the reciprocating movement of the puncture body 2. Fig. (a) shows a standby state to be punctured, which corresponds to the state shown in fig. 3. Fig. (b) shows a state just after the engagement between the projection 13 and the slide arm 23 is released by pressing the puncture button 61 as shown in fig. 14. Fig. (c) shows a state in which the puncture body 2 advances in the x1 direction while the projection 13 and the inclined surface 23b slide, and is a state shown in fig. 16. Fig. (d) shows the puncture body 2 in a state of the puncture point described above with reference to fig. 18. In this figure (e), the puncture body 2 is retracted in the direction x2 while the projection 13 and the inclined surface 23b slide. In fig. (c) and (e), the positions of the puncture body 2 in the x1 direction and the x2 direction with respect to the housing 1 are the same. Fig. (f) shows a state in which the puncture body 2 has completely retracted in the x2 direction. In fig. (b) and (f), the positions of the puncture body 2 in the x1 direction and the x2 direction with respect to the housing 1 are the same.

The graph (g) conceptually shows the horizontal axis as the direction x1 and the direction x2, and the vertical axis as the resistance generated by the resistance generation unit. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. g, the standby state is released in fig. a, and a section in which the puncture body 2 advances in the x1 direction from fig. b is defined as an advance section S1. The start time of the forward section S1 is the time when the projection 13 starts sliding on the inclined surface 23b of the slide arm 23, and the end time is the time when the projection 13 ends sliding on the inclined surface 23 b.

Next, a puncture section S2 is defined as a starting time at which the advancing section S1 ends, that is, at which the protrusion 13 transitions from the inclined surface 23b to the recess 23 c. In the puncture section S2, the convex portion 13 is positioned to overlap the concave portion 23 c. The puncture section S2 includes the puncture point S2a, which is the time when the advancement is completed. The puncture section S2 includes a section in which the puncture body 2 slightly advances and a section in which the puncture body 2 slightly retreats with the puncture point S2a interposed therebetween.

A retreat segment S3 is defined as a starting point at which the end of the puncture segment S2, that is, the point at which the projection 13 moves from the recess 23c to the inclined surface 23b again. In the retreat section S3, the puncture body 2 retreats in the x2 direction. Further, the convex portion 13 slides with the inclined surface 23 b. For convenience of explanation, the end time of the backward section S3 is defined as the position where the positional relationship between the projection 13 and the slide arm 23 is the same as the start time of the forward section S1.

In the forward section S1, a frictional force, i.e., a resistance force F, is generated by the convex portion 13 sliding on the inclined surface 23 b. In the state shown in fig. (b), the flexure of the slide arm 23 is maximized, and the resistance F becomes the resistance F1. As the puncture body 2 advances, the resistance F gradually decreases. This is because the inclined surface 23b is inclined in the direction shown in the figure so that the deflection of the slide arm 23 becomes gradually smaller. For example, in the state shown in this diagram (c), the resistance force F becomes a resistance force F2 smaller than the resistance force F1. In the present embodiment, the resistance F1 gradually decreases to zero at the end of the forward section S1.

When the puncture body 2 advances and enters the puncture section S2, the convex portion 13 and the concave portion 23c do not contact with each other, and therefore the resistance force F becomes zero. That is, it can be said that the puncture body 2 is not subjected to any resistance by the resistance generating means in the puncture section S2 in which the puncture body 2 slightly reciprocates with the puncture point S2a interposed therebetween.

Next, when the puncture body 2 retreats and enters the retreat section S3, the convex portion 13 starts sliding with the inclined surface 23b again. Thus, the resistance F gradually increases after the start time of the retreat region S3. For example, in the state shown in the drawing (e), the resistance F becomes the resistance F3. Then, at the end of the backward interval S3, i.e., in the state of the graph (F), the resistance F becomes the resistance F4.

As can be seen from this drawing (g), the average value of the resistance force F in the puncture section S2 in this section is smaller than the average value of the resistance force F in the retreat section S3. In the present embodiment, since the resistance F in the puncture section S2 is always zero, the resistance F in the puncture section S2 is smaller than the resistance F at any time in the retraction section S3. Even if the puncture section S2 and the advance section S1 are compared, the average value of the resistance force F in the puncture section S2 is smaller than the average value of the resistance force F in the advance section S1, and the resistance force F in the puncture section S2 is smaller than the resistance force F at any time in the advance section S1.

Next, the relationship between the resistance F of the forward section S1 and the reverse section S3 will be described with reference to fig. 21. The figure shows the convex portion 13 and the slide arm 23 in the forward section S1 or the backward section S3 by imaginary lines. Since the convex portion 13 abuts against the slide arm 23, vertical resistance is generated between them. The vertical resistance Fa in the figure shows the vertical resistance exerted by the projection 13 on the sliding arm 23. The vertical resistances Fa are directed in the direction in which they abut each other, and in the present embodiment, the vertical resistances Fa are generated in the direction in which the inclined surfaces 23b are directed. The vertical resistive force Fa is decomposed into a component Fz in the z1 direction and the z2 direction, and a component Fx in the x1 direction and the x2 direction. The component Fx is directed toward x 1. Therefore, in a state where the convex portion 13 slides on the inclined surface 23b, that is, in the forward section S1 and the backward section S3, the component force Fx directed in the x1 direction is applied to the puncture body 2. In this way, during the sliding of the projection 13 and the inclined surface 23b, a frictional force having a magnitude obtained by multiplying the kinetic frictional force by the vertical resistance Fa and the component force Fx are applied to the puncture body 2. The frictional force acts on the side opposite to the movement of the puncture body 2. Therefore, when the puncture body 2 advances in the advance section S1, the resultant force of the frictional force in the x2 direction and the component force Fx in the opposite x1 direction becomes a resistance force F, which is slightly smaller than the frictional force. On the other hand, when the puncture body 2 retreats in the retreat section S3, the resultant force of the frictional force in the x1 direction and the component force Fx in the opposite direction becomes a resistance force F, which is slightly larger than the frictional force. As a result, in fig. 20(g), the resistance F4 is greater than the resistance F1, and further, the resistance F3 is greater than the resistance F2. When the relative positional relationship between the convex portion 13 and the inclined surface 23b is the same, the magnitude of the resistance force F in the backward section S3 is larger than that in the forward section S1.

In addition, the following study can be established when the resistance force F is in the forward section S1 and the backward section S3. That is, in the advancing section S1, the slider arm 23, which has reached the maximum deflection at the initial time point thereof, is deflected and disappears as the puncture body 2 advances. On the other hand, in the retreat region S3, the slider arm 23 having the smallest deflection, more specifically, zero at the start time thereof is deflected more largely as the puncture body 2 retreats. In this way, the forward section S1 is an operation in a direction in which the stored energy is removed, whereas the backward section S3 is an operation in which energy is stored. Thus, the magnitude of the resistance force F in the backward section S3 is considered to be larger than that in the forward section S1.

Next, the operation of the puncture device a1 will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the resistance F applied to the puncture body 2 is relatively small in the puncture section S2 including the puncture point S2a where the puncture body 2 punctures the skin. Therefore, there is little possibility that the speed of the needle 21a when it is inserted into the skin is excessively reduced or that the retraction of the puncture body 2 is excessively attenuated immediately after the needle 21a is inserted into the skin. On the other hand, in the retreat region S3 in which the needle 21a is pulled out of the skin and the puncture body 2 retreats, the resistance F applied to the puncture body 2 is relatively large. Therefore, in the retreat region S3, the puncture body 2 retreats and its movement is greatly attenuated. Thus, at the end of the backward section S3, the speed of the puncture body 2 can be sufficiently reduced, and unnecessary vibration can be avoided when the puncture body 2 repeatedly moves forward in the x1 direction and backward in the x2 direction after the backward section S3 is retracted. Therefore, according to the puncture device a1, although a pain of puncture inevitably occurs, it is possible to prevent the needle 21a from being accidentally inserted into the skin, and prevent the puncture body 2 from being violently reciprocated after puncture, causing the user to feel uncomfortable vibrations, and the like, and thus it is possible to use the puncture device a1 more comfortably.

Further, the resistance force F in the advancing section S1 is larger than the resistance force F in the puncturing section S2, in other words, it can be said that the resistance force F is allowed to be generated in the advancing section S1. Therefore, as described above, the convex portion 13 and the inclined surface 23b are allowed to slide with each other not only in the retreating section S3 but also in the advancing section S1. In a device called a puncture device a1, which is strongly required to be compact, there is an advantage that the mechanism of the resistance generation means according to the present invention is not unnecessarily complicated, and can be configured reasonably. The resistance F is also generated in the forward section S1, but the magnitude thereof is smaller than that in the backward section S3. This facilitates avoiding an undue attenuation of the advancing speed of the puncture body 2 in the advancing interval S1. The relationship that the resistance F in the forward section S1 is smaller than the resistance F in the backward section S3 may be, for example, an average value of the resistances F in the forward section S1 is smaller than an average value of the resistances F in the backward section S3.

By setting the resistance F in the puncture section S2 to zero, the needle 21a can be inserted into the skin more smoothly, and the needle 21a can be pulled out from the skin more quickly.

The structure in which the projection 13 and the cantilever-like slide arm 23 slide contributes to simplification and miniaturization of the puncture device a 1. Further, by providing the inclined surface 23b on the slide arm 23, the resistance force F in the forward section S1 and the backward section S3 can be set to the above-described preferable magnitude. The structure having the recess 23c is suitable for reliably making the resistance force F in the puncture section S2 zero. Further, the slide arm 23 is not only a resistance generating means but also serves as an engaging member for engaging the puncture body 2 with the housing 1 because of the provision of the latch projection 23 a. This also enables the puncture device a1 to be reduced in size.

The puncture device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific structure of each part of the puncture device of the present invention can be variously changed in design.

Claims

1. A puncture device is provided with:

a housing;

a puncturing body which is held so as to be capable of reciprocating movement including advancing and retreating with respect to the housing and has a puncturing member for puncturing the skin; and

an elastic body for reciprocating the puncture body,

wherein,

the reciprocating movement of the piercing body has: a puncture zone comprising a puncture point where the puncture body penetrates into the skin; an advancing section set to be ahead of the puncture section; and a backward section set to be backward of the puncture section,

the puncture device is provided with a resistance generation unit which applies resistance to the puncture body such that the magnitude of the resistance in the retreat region is larger than the magnitude of the resistance in the puncture region,

the resistance generating unit applies the resistance in the following manner: the resistance decreases as the puncture body enters the puncture section in the forward section, and increases as the puncture body leaves the puncture section in the backward section.

2. The lancing device of claim 1,

the resistance force generated by the resistance force generation unit is larger in the advancement section than in the puncture section.

3. The lancing device of claim 2,

the resistance force generated by the resistance force generation unit is larger in the retreat region than in the advance region in the case where the puncture body is located at the same position with respect to the housing.

4. The lancing device of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the resistance generated by the resistance generation unit is zero in the puncture section.

5. The lancing device of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the resistance generation unit includes: a convex portion provided on one of the housing and the puncture body; and a sliding body provided on one of the housing and the puncture body and sliding with the projection in the retreat section.

6. The lancing device of claim 5,

the slider is configured to be more elastically deformable than the projection in a direction facing the projection.

7. The lancing device of claim 6,

the slider is configured such that, in the reciprocating direction of the puncture body, an end portion on a side where the projection is located when the puncture body is at the advancing end is supported, and an end portion on a side where the projection is located when the puncture body is at the retreating end is a free end,

an inclined surface is formed on the slider, the inclined surface being inclined such that: the protrusion is located closer to the protrusion from the side where the protrusion is located when the puncture body is at the advancing end toward the side where the protrusion is located when the puncture body is at the retreating end.

8. The lancing device of claim 5,

the slider also serves as an engaging member for engaging the housing with the puncture body in order to hold the puncture body at the retracted end.

9. The lancing device of claim 5,

the convex portion is formed on the housing,

the sliding body is formed on the puncture body.

10. The lancing device of claim 9,

the housing includes an outer frame and an inner frame received in the outer frame,

the convex portion is formed on the inner frame.